The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin held a healthcare education seminar in Dubai on Dec. 26. The Dubai event was a pre-conference tour to kickoff the annual AAPI Global Healthcare Summit—a major event which took place in Kolkata, India Dec. 2831 and drew over 500 participants from all over the world. Under the direction of Chattanooga’s own Dr. Anuj Chandra, the pre-conference drew approximately 75 visiting and local experts and healthcare leaders. Dr. Chandra is past president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin-Sleep, and he is founder and medical director of the Advanced Center for Sleep Disorders in Tennessee.

AAPI enables healthcare leaders to freely exchange views, ideas, and cutting edge scientific findings to improve medical care in the U.S. and abroad. The Dubai Healthcare Education Seminar was an apropos opening to the Global Health Summit, in accordance with the vision of AAPI President, Dr. GautamSamadder, to educate and develop the next generation of health care leaders.

“I see healthcare leaders coming together to solve problems and implementing those changes throughout the world,” said Dr. Samadder. “The Dubai Conference was an endeavor to collaborate with United Arab Emirates physicians, with the mutual sharing of expertise towards the improvement of healthcare on a global scale.”

The Dubai Health Authority has a mission to transform Dubai into a leading healthcare destination. High ranking officials who attended the seminar expressed a reciprocated interest to collaborate with the physicians of Indian origin in the Gulf Region. The United Arab Emirates is the top destination for Indian migrants, and the AAPI welcomes a long-term alliance with physicians of the UAE.

One of the leaders who organized the event was Dr. Sampat Shivangi, chair of AAPI Legislative Committee. He was able to involve many UAE healthcare leaders and visiting delegates for a mutually beneficial symposium. The Chief Guest was Assistant Undersecretary of Health Centers and Clinic, H.E. Dr. Hussain Abdulrahman Al Rand.

Guest of Honor, Dr. B.R. Shetty, gave an account of the development of the Dubai health care system. Dr. Shetty completed his pharmaceutical education in India and moved to the UAE in 1973. He shared the story of how he founded, with humble beginnings, the New Medical Centre—now the UAE’s largest private healthcare provider.

Dr. Chandra was chairman of the Dubai HES. Dr. Chandra has a mission to raise awareness about sleep health across the world and this endeavor was no exception. He ensured that the symposium included vital lectures about sleep medicine. Tennessee physician, Dr. Raghu Upender of Vanderbilt, gave a lecture on hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

UAE physician, Dr. Hamda Kamalboor, delivered a state of art impactful presentation on the diagnosis of sleep disorders. The approaching Kolkata GHS theme focused on Women’s Healthcare, so Dr. Kamalboor’s participation exemplified the symposium in Dubai as the perfect way to launch. She delivered a very informative lecture. Dr. Kamalboor is one of two female neurologists in her region. She follows in the footsteps of her mentor, Dr. Sharifa Abdool, as an additional pioneer in her field. These women are examples of the expanding role of Emirati women in higher education, the workforce, and healthcare. Interestingly, the first practicing female physician in the UAE was an Indian national, Dr. Zulekha Daud.

“The Global Healthcare Summit included a women’s leadership forum, an initiative for aspiring female leaders to see and hear from their role models," said Dr. Chandra. "I believe the Dubai symposium was the perfect prologue. It was a privilege to be part of this event, and I too learned very useful information from other experts at the seminar.”

The event was a success largely because of the dedicated delegates who traveled from around the world to attend, said officials. One of the collaborating professional organizations was the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates Emirates. Led by President Dr. Hanish Babu, AKMG Emirates physicians took time out of their busy medical practices and drove for hours to attend.

The Dubai symposium and Kolkata GHS were notable accomplishments which illustrate the AAPI efforts to improve healthcare on a global scale. While the AAPI was initiated to provide a forum for physicians of Indian origin, it continues to welcome physicians of any origin to participate. As the second largest medical association after the American Medical Association, the AAPI strives to form borderless partnerships of strengths across the globe.

September 12, 2019

Bethany Christian Services of Greater Chattanooga Expands ACEs Program For Bledsoe County

September 11, 2019

Matthew Ballard Appointed To Hospice Of Chattanooga Foundation Board Of Directors

State Representative Ron Travis announced Thursday that Bethany Christian Services of Greater Chattanooga will be expanding an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) program in Bledsoe County. ... (click for more)

Matthew Ballard, a licensed realtor with Uptown Firm, has been appointed to the Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation board of directors.
"Mr. Ballard, who personally invests in Chattanooga ... (click for more)

State Representative Ron Travis announced Thursday that Bethany Christian Services of Greater Chattanooga will be expanding an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) program in Bledsoe County.
"With Representative Travis’ support, the General Assembly passed a strong and fiscally conservative 2019 budget that appropriated $2.45 million in recurring funds for ACEs-related activities, ... (click for more)

Matthew Ballard, a licensed realtor with Uptown Firm, has been appointed to the Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation board of directors.
"Mr. Ballard, who personally invests in Chattanooga real estate, brings a strong relationship-building ethic and long-standing experience in all facets of property management, analysis and consultation to the Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation," ... (click for more)

Tennessee American Water successfully completed repairs to the impacted water main around 4 a.m. and has begun the process of restoring the system.
Officials said, "The return to normal operating conditions will occur slowly and return last to customers at the highest elevations within the system, such as Lookout Mountain and Elder Mountain. We anticipate that most of the system ... (click for more)

Darrell Hill, 20, was shot and killed on Dahlia Street Thursday afternoon. Three teenagers have been arrested for the homicide.
At approximately 12:14 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a p erson shot call in the 3900 block of Dahlia Street.
Upon arrival, police located the victim lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. Hamilton County EMS pronounced him ... (click for more)

Our nation was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001 and our world changed. Muslim terrorists called al-Qaeda, with training camps all around the world were responsible for the death of the more than 3,000 victims. This is an enemy unlike any we have ever faced. There are multiple countries, multiple fronts and multiple threats.
This enemy is committed to the absolute destruction of the ... (click for more)

It was in the late ‘80s, not long before Auburn and Tennessee would play early in the year to set the early pace in the annual SEC race. I needed Auburn football coach Pat Dye to help me understand the early-season strategy of what the loser of the game between Tennessee and Auburn would need to do to stay viable in the home stretch of SEC play that year; it affected bowl invitations ... (click for more)